Extreme Fatigue

[c2737487]

Hello Forum! This my first post. I was diagnosed with Celiac Sprue in February of 2004. I went to a nutritionist who basically told me what I couldn't eat. I basically taught myself how to eat. I have been feeling better however I have one symptom that I cannot shake - AND it seems the be getting worse. I am extremely fatigued. I actually believe I have developed narcolepsy! I fall asleep instantly anywhere, anytime. I am actually afraid to drive more that a couple of miles at a time because of it.

Another thing is that I cannot stay asleep at night at all. However, I could sleep all day if given the chance. Does anyone else experience this? I am confused, my memory is shot and I have little mini panic attacks throughout the day. I used to be a social butterfly - never able to sit still and waste a moment! Now, (even when I was in Jamaica over Christmas!) I'd rather sleep or just sit around. As a result, my workout regimen has suffered and I've put on a little extra weight. I've always been a healthy eater so it really is just from exhaustion and being completely sedentary. I just feel like - well - crap!

I would like to go back to my doctor (who is my general practitioner) and ask for more help on this but what do you think I should ask for? Tests I mean?

Thanks so much in advance!

[2kids4me]

Your thyroid should be checked and B12 levels, and iron ...although my B 12 levels were considered normal the only thing that got me back living again was B 12 injections. There are tablets and under the tongue supplements as well.

The damnged gut cannot absorb many nutrients and often celiacs are affected by low iron, B12 etc.

Hypothyroidism can accompany celaic as well.

Hope they find the source of your fatigue, it is no fun at all!

Sandy

[gadgetgirl]

I have noticed that since I gave up gluten (and dairy, soy, yeast, almonds, brazil nuts, legumes....) that I really have to be careful not to get too many simple carbs at one time otherwise I will get extremely fatigued and won't be able to keep my eyes open while driving or trying to study.

When I was eating gluten, I ate mainly whole wheat flours which helped slow down the rise in blood sugar. Many of the gluten-free replacements I at first tried gave me too much sugar and simple carbs.

Now I eat mainly a whole foods diet: fresh fruit (no juice or dried fruit), lots of veggies (easy on the starchy ones), some brown rice which I always try to pair with a protein source, lean chicken, turkey & salmon. Some nuts (walnuts & cashews) and Tahini.

Hope this helps.

[Queen Serenity]

Hi and welcome,

It sounds like you need to have your thyroid checked immediately. You have been living with celiac's for 2 years now, so your body should have already healed. I have hypothyroidism, but I wasn't diagnoesd with this until six years into celiac's. Please make an appointment for bloodwork. You will feel much better in the long run if you have the levels checked.

Vicki

G.F. for 11 years

[NoGluGirl]

Hello Forum! This my first post. I was diagnosed with Celiac Sprue in February of 2004. I went to a nutritionist who basically told me what I couldn't eat. I basically taught myself how to eat. I have been feeling better however I have one symptom that I cannot shake - AND it seems the be getting worse. I am extremely fatigued. I actually believe I have developed narcolepsy! I fall asleep instantly anywhere, anytime. I am actually afraid to drive more that a couple of miles at a time because of it.

Another thing is that I cannot stay asleep at night at all. However, I could sleep all day if given the chance. Does anyone else experience this? I am confused, my memory is shot and I have little mini panic attacks throughout the day. I used to be a social butterfly - never able to sit still and waste a moment! Now, (even when I was in Jamaica over Christmas!) I'd rather sleep or just sit around. As a result, my workout regimen has suffered and I've put on a little extra weight. I've always been a healthy eater so it really is just from exhaustion and being completely sedentary. I just feel like - well - crap!

I would like to go back to my doctor (who is my general practitioner) and ask for more help on this but what do you think I should ask for? Tests I mean?

Thanks so much in advance!

Dear capshert,

Welcome to the forum! I would agree and say your thyroid is to blame. I myself have had difficulty with it. It was awful, no matter how much I did not take in calorie - wise, or how much I exercised, nothing helped me lose weight. You sound like your case is more severe than mine. You could have a rare form of Thyroid disease called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Google it and see if it matches up with any other symptoms you may have. I tried medication for the slow thyroid, and it was intolerable with the side effects. I was not able to sleep at night, I had tremors, heart palpitations, and was a complete wreck. After two weeks, I decided there had to be a better way. The meds did not help me lose weight either. Natural supplements did. Rosemary Leaf Extract (Made by Solaray) and Ashwaghanda taken once a day, plus 2 - 3 Tablespoons of Virgin Coconut Oil per day really helped.

There are also certain foods you should avoid because they slow your thyroid down more, like peanuts, peaches, broccoli, refined sugar, soy extracts (soy sauce, any processed food with soy lecithin in it) and refined carbs like white rice. Helpful additions to stimulate thyroid function like brown rice, buckwheat, one serving of fish or beans daily, unrefined oils (avoid transfats) and walking at least ten minutes a day really improved my thyroid. If it is Hashimoto's, you will likely need medication, but dietary changes help slow thyroids pep up again.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[katrinamaria]

hello & welcome!

i can relate to you right now, as i've been gluten free for a little over a year and have felt really fatigued in the past few months. although not as bad as you described, i do nod off in class, have no energy to just get up, and i know exactly what you mean by workouts suffering. (althought i can't sleep at night... weird) anyway, i guess my advice is to schedule an appt with your doctor. mine is next week and i hope she can give me some direction. my guess is that it is either something that will be found in the bloodwork, by seeing a nutritionist, or maybe because i've had an abnormally large amount of stress/tough times in my life in the past year. so that is one thing i don't think anyone has mentioned yet... don't forget to consider your stress levels/mental health! best wishes---